Window lift assembly



July 26, 1955 R. H. WISE 2,714,004

WINDOW LIFT ASSEMBLY Filed May 11, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RA L P H H. W SE ATTORNEY July 26, 1955 R. H. WISE WINDOW LIFT ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1953 INVENTOR. RALPH H. WISE M4 5 an n fl/ ATTORNEY WINDOW LIFT ASSEMBLY Ralph H. Wise, Gary, Ind., assignor to Productive Inventions, Inc., a corporation of Indiana Application May 11, 1953, Serial No. 354,191

1 Claim. (Cl. 268-133) This invention relates generally to what is known in the trade as window lifts and more particularly is directed to an improved powered lifting apparatus for raising and lowering a window in the door of an automotive vehicle.

The majority of conventional window lifting devices now currently being used by the automotive industry comprises a lift arm assembly and a control assembly operatively connected to the lift arm assembly. The lift arm assembly includes one or more lift arms, a plurality of channel guides therefor, and a bracket for attaching the assembly to the inner panel of a vehicle door. The con trol assembly, among other things, includes a sector gear and pinion, a counterbalancing spring, a clutched dr ve shaft provided with a crank, and a bracket for supporting the assembly on the door.

These conventional types of lifting devices and those having a power unit, such as an electric motor for operating the arm assembly are mounted adjacent the central portion or area of the inner panel. This disposition or center point location of the operating means has a (115- advantage in that the weight and thrust of such means is not properly distributed, and as a consequence the inner panel will buckle or breathe when the operating means is actuated.

Window lifting devices or apparatus of the above character are relatively heavy, cumbersome and require con siderable space for their operation. Devices of this type are also expensive to manufacture and assemble and chilicult to install. 4

Window lifting devices now in general use require precision in installation to' minimize misalignment of functional components. Su'ch'm-isalignment is difficult to prevent because surrounding structure of the door, on which the apparatus must be mountedyisnot precisely constructed. As a result, misalignment of component parts of well-known types of window lifts create a great deal of malfunction requiring adjustment, repairs, and replacements. Often the excessive load caused by misalignment creates dam-age to electric motors used to drive the mechanism. Misalignment creates binding and cramping which produces not only excessive loads on the power unit but also creates excessive wear on functional parts and often stalls the mechanism to the very considerable embarrassment of the driver of the vehicle.

Gne of the problem's prevalent in the window an mechanisms presently generally employed is that, since the movement of the window, particularly to top position, is stopped abruptly upon impact with the upper abutment carried by the door, the shock to the'conventionaltype mechanism is heavy due to the momentum of the armature of the motor and to the rigidity of the connecting parts. In the present invention the driving is accomplished through the flexible driving means, each of which has some torque resilience; Therefore, when either the upper or lower abutment which limits window travel is reached, the shock upon the motor and the balance of the mechanism is cushioned and reduced. by the torque of the driving members.

nited States Patent 0 2,714,004 Patented July 26, 1955 ice With the foregoing in mind, one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a window lift assembly embodying entirely new and improved principles of design and construction and which overcomes practically all of the disadvantages inherent in conventional apparatus of the kind above referred to.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide a lift assembly comprising, among other things, power means such as an electric motor, and a pair of corresponding flexible driving means directly connected to the power means and operatively connected to and supporting the window whereby to produce a positive, efficient, and fast operating driving action, and

thereby eliminate the numerous arms or linkages, sector gear, pinion including other parts existant in a conventional window lift structure.

A specific object of the invention is to provide improved means for operatively connecting the flexible driving means to the window and novel means for supporting the flexible driving means.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a novel lift assembly which is preferably adapted to be mounted on the inner panel of a vehicle or car' door so that the supporting means for the flexible driving means are located at appropriate locations adjacent the vertical rigid edges of the door so as to distribute the weight of the driving means and at the same time completely alleviate any tendency of the panel to buckle. The power means for the driving means is preferably carried by the lower horizontal edge flange of the inner panel at a point substantially midway between the planes formed by the vertical edges of the window to provide a well balanced assembly.

An important object of the invention is to provide a lift assembly in which provision is made to compensate for any structural variations or misalignments of the components constituting the door and particularly'with respect to any variations in the distance between thewindow and flexible driving means therefor.

A significant object of the invention is to provide a unique lift assembly comprised of a minimum number of components which can be economically manufactured and assembled on a production basis and which can be easily and quickly installed.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a lift assembly of a size and arrangement which will permit its installation in a much smaller space or area than any of the conventional lifts, and thereby provide additional space which might be utilized for other equipment or put to other use. In fact, use of the invention will permit a reduction in the thickness of a car door at or adjacent its central area so as to provide additional space or room in the car.

Also, an object of the invention is to provide a lift assembly which is relatively light in weight and substantially noiseless in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lift assembly having novel tubular means associated therewith whereby to assist in guiding and alleviating any whipping action and noise in the flexible driving means.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter. set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the inner side of a vehicle door showing the application of the invention to the window structure thereof;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the doorand illustrating, among other things, the relative positions of certain components of the operating assembly;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial section showing the manner of supporting the upper ends of flexible screws to the door and the window to such screws;

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial section showing a unique operative connection between the lower ends of the flexible screws and flexible cables which simultaneously drive the screws through the agency of an electric motor;

Figure is an enlarged partial elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows 5-5 in Figure 3, showing one of a pair of hangers or fittings which constitutes parts of connectors operatively connecting the window with the flexible screws;

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial vertical section taken substantially on line- 66 of Figure 3 showing details with respect to connecting the upper ends of the flexible screws to the door frame;

Figure 7 is an elevational view of one of a pair of means establishing operative connections between the flexible cables and flexible screws;

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 88 of Figure 4 depicting certain details of the structure illustrated in Figures 4 and 7;

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 99 of Figure 4 exemplifying additional details of construction;

Figure is a sectional view taken through an appropriate part of the upper supporting means for the flexible screws; and

Figure 11 is a partial view of the means operatively connecting the window and flexible screw means.

The window lift structure or assembly as exemplified in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a power unit 1 preferably in the form of a reversible electric motor and a pair of corresponding flexible driving means generally designated 2 operatively connecting the motor to a window 3. A relay mechanism 4 under the control of a manually operated switch 5 is electrically connected to the motor and to a battery (not shown) for rotating the motor shaft in either direction so that the window can be raised and lowered.

The motor may be mounted where desired but is preferably secured to the horizontal bottom portion 6 of an inner removable panel 7 or a car door.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, each of the flexible driving means preferably includes a flexible cable 8 and a flexible screw 9 operatively secured together by a connector 10 for simultaneous rotation. The screws 9 carry the weight of the window. Obviously, the screws 9 may be of suflicient lengths to directly connect with the ends of the motor shaft. Each connector is supported on an angular bracket 11 detachably mounted by bolts on an internal offset 12 provided on the panel. The screws 9 are arranged substantially in a vertical plane parallel to plane of the window and channel guides for the window. The lower ends of the cables 8 are preferably directly connected to the opposite ends of the motor shaft and the upper end of each cable is provided with a squared portion which detachably fits in a socket of corresponding configuration in one extremity of the connector 10. In order to assist in reducing noise and alleviate the tendency of cables to produce a whipping action when the motor is operated the cables are preferably encased in a tube of rubber or suitable resilient material 13. The lower end of each of the flexible driving screws 9 is anchored in a socket provided in the upper extremity of the connector. As shown, the upper extremity of the connector extends through a clearance hole provided in horizontal leg of the bracket 11.

As clearly shown in Figures 4, 7, 8 and 9, each of the connectors 10 is rotatably supported in a housing 14 which is detachably secured to the bracket 11 by a plurality of spring clips 15 which extend through apertured lugs 16 projecting through holes provided therefor in the bracket. Within the housing there is disposed a pair of corresponding rubber bushings 17 and a pair of corresponding rings 18 located between the bushings. The rings engage one another and cooperate to provide a race or retainer for ball bearings 19. The connector is provided with a circumferential grooy e 20 within which portions of the bearings ride when the connector, cable and screw are rotated as a unit. The connector and bearings therefor are thus resiliently supported by the rubber bushings. The upper end of each of the tubes 13 surrounding a flexible cable is provided with an enlargement which seats in and against the lower part of the housing 14 and is held in place by a spring clip 21. Each clip is of a form to encircle the tube and has ends which project into apertures provided in ears 22 on the housing. Each clip serves to hold the bushings, rings, bearings, connector and tube to the housing, as well as maintain the cable in interlocking relation with the connector. With this novel arrangement each connector and associated cable and screw are mounted for free and silent rotation. In order to promote balance and uniformity in the motion of the driving means the screws 9 are preferably arranged in parallel relation. The connectors 10 and supporting means therefor are also located to promote balance and afford stability for the driving means and position the driving means in spaced relation to the inner and outer panels of the door. It will also be noted that the cables 8 are more or less curved with slack to afford suflicient maneuverability to locate the upper ends of the cables in axial relationship to the flexible screws 9. It is of course desirable to locate the various components in a balanced operative relationship, but due to thecharacter of the cables, connectors and resilient supporting means therefor the motor can be mounted in an off-center or angular position with respect to the supporting means and the inner and outer panels of the door, without affecting the efliciency of the assembly. Further, the lengths of the cables and the positions of the supporting means may be varied to some extent without interfering with the operation of the components. Since these variations are possible it is apparent that the components of the lift assembly may be located to com pensate for any misalignments of those portions or parts of the door to which the components are attached. Thus, installation of the assembly is simplified and facilitated.

The mode of supporting the upper ends of the flexible screws 9 will now be described. As clearly exemplified in Figures 3 and 6, the upper extremity of the inner panel 7 of the door is provided with a horizontal portion 23 and a depending flange which form a channel. A pair of corresponding supporting means are provided for the flexible screws 9 which carry the window, and each means, among other things, includes a. block of rubber 2.4 or the equivalent seated in the channel, and a cup 25 provided with lateral extensions 26. A pair of screws 27 extend through clearance openings in the horizontal portion of p the inner panel, the rubber block and threadedly connect with the lateral extensions 26 of the cup for supporting it between the screws 27 as shown. A connector 28 extends through a hole in the bottom wall of each cup and is provided with a socket within which the upper end of a flexible screw 9 is anchored. Each connector is further provided with a head portion 29, a circumferential groove 30, and abutment means 31. Ball bearings 32 are confined in each cup and ride in the groove so that the connector and screw secured thereto may freely rotate substantially about a vertical axis. A nylon bearing retainer ring 33 surrounds each connector and engages the bearings. A washer 34 is arranged between the ring 33 and head portion 29 of each connector and a split spring ring 35 cooperates with the abutment means 31 on the connector for holding the parts in proper relationship. With this arrangement, the upper ends of the flexible screws are supported so they may freely rotate. Attention is directed to the fact that the means for supporting the upper and lower ends of the flexible screws are preferably located to position the screws in parallel vertical relationship with respect to one another and with respect to the plane of the window. The supporting means are also constructed so as to more or less maintain the flexible screws in a taut condition.

Various means may be employed for operatively connecting the window to the flexible screws 9, but as herein exemplified the lower metal channel 36 attached to the lower edge of the window is provided with a pair of hanger assemblies, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. Each of the hanger assemblies includes, among other things, a member 37 secured to the channel, resilient means preferably in the form of a generally rectangular rubber block 38, a holder 39 and a nylon nut 40. Each assembly also includes a pin 41 which extends through the member 37 and the upper part of the block to suspend the block and a pin 42 extends through the holder 39 and the lower part of the block for supporting the holder in a transverse or horizontal position with respect to the block.

The holder may be secured to the block in any manner desired but as herein shown the lower portion of the block is provided with a notch 43 and the holder with a pair of corresponding entering portions 44 which fit in the notch. The pin 42 extends through holes provided in these entering portions so that the holder is held in the position above referred to. The holder is also formed to provide a tubular portion 45 which embraces a reduced cylindrical portion 46 of the nut for interlocking the nut with the holder and maintaining the nut in proper relationship with the flexible screw. The inner surface of the tubular portion 45 of the holder is provided with serrations which engage the nut to lock the nut against rotation. Each nut is internally threaded so that it will register with the threads on the screw 9. Each nut is also of a length to offer stability to the movement of the window and at the same time reduces noise to a minimum.

As clearly exemplified in Figure 11, each of the rubber blocks 38 is formed to provide a portion 47 adjacent the base of each of the notches 43. When the holders 39 are secured to the blocks 38 the lower pins 42 and portions 47 are compressed so that the holders and nuts 40 are more or less arranged in the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 11. However, when the hanger assemblies are supported with the nuts 40 in operative engagement with the flexible screws 9 the holders and nuts are substantially held in a right angular position as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing. The portions 47 of the blocks serve to absorb any excessive shock which might otherwise be transmitted to the flexible screws by the window. The portions 47 also serve to maintain the window in a substantially parallel relationship with respect to the plane formed by the flexible screws 9 and at the same time compensate for any abnormal variations in thrust transmitted by the flexible screws to the nuts 40.

With the foregoing arrangement, the hanger assemblies will compensate for any variations in the distance between the plane formed by the flexible screws and the plane of the window. The screws also offer some compensation for any side play of the window. More spccifically in this respect, the rubber blocks 38 not only absorb any vibration between the flexible means and window but may bend, give or pivot relative to the upper pins 41 whenever any variations in distances arise between the screws 9 and between the screws and window under normal operating conditions. For the same reasons, the holders 39 may pivot with respect to lower pins 42.

In view of the foregoing, it will be manifest that improved means have been provided for raising and lowering a window or reciprocating some other instrumentality. Also, that the lift assembly olfers many advantages over prior conventional lifts with respect to costs, manufacture and assembly, and installation. The lift assembly embodying the invention has proven to be durable, positive and eflicient in action under all conditions of use.

One particular advantage of the flexible driving means embodied in the present invention resides in the fact that the flexible cables 8 and flexible screws 9 can be purchased as a standard item in the open market. Furthermore, whether each of the flexible driving means is comprised of two components such as the flexible cable and flexible screw or of a single flexible driving means, it is merely necessary to sever the driving means into any length desired for any given installation. Flexible driving means of this character simplifies and facilitates installation of the lift assembly and the costs are reduced to a minimum as compared to the multitude of levers, sectors, pinions and other parts required in operatively connecting them together and attaching them in exactly predetermined positions with respect to a vehicle door.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various other modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

I claim:

In a lift assembly for a vehicle window, the window being retractible into a vehicle door or the like and having a lower marginal edge enclosed in a supporting channel, an elongated member carried by said door and having a peripheral helical screw thread, means for rotating said member, and thread-engaging means encompassing a peripheral portion of said member and movable axially thereof as said member is rotated, the improvements which comprise a bracket secured to said channel, rigid supporting means carrying said thread-engaging means, and an elastomeric block interposed between said bracket and said means to provide a resiliently distortable connection therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,966,815 Fuller July 17, 1934 2,124,037 Lavigne July 19, 1938 2,337,867 Brotman et al Dec. 28, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 454,201 Great Britain Sept. 25, 1936 459,798 Great Britain Jan. 15, 1937 

